Published: Tuesday, February 5, 2013 at 11:00 a.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, February 5, 2013 at 11:25 a.m.

Nicholls senior second baseman Ashley Bertot (24) is one of eight returning players on the Colonels' 2013 roster.

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The new look isn't from new uniforms or new equipment. The Colonels' new look stems from a retooling of their 2013 roster.

After a 14-31 2012 season in which the Colonels finished 8-12 in the Southland Conference, second-year coach Angel Santiago decided competition was needed at every position.

Santiago purged his roster and added 13 new players, while keeping just eight players from last year's team.

The new-look Colonels begin their season on Friday at Southeastern Louisiana's Lions Classic in Hammond. Nicholls plays Southern University at 12:30 p.m. Friday before playing St. Louis University at 3 p.m. Friday. The three-day tournament continues on Saturday and Sunday.

Santiago said the new players have brought a new level of excitement, but it also allowed him to focus on the basics in the offseason.

"We have a lot of new faces. I think we have 13 new players on the field this year," Santiago said. "We have transfers and freshmen, and with all that in place, we just had to go back to the basics. I think we've done so much to give these kids a chance to compete on the softball field that it is time for Nicholls to start winning."

To start winning games, the Colonels are going to have to improve in all aspects of the game but especially on defense.

Nicholls ranked last in the Southland Conference in team defense with a .946 fielding percentage.

Santiago said the majority of the roster changes was to improve his defense.

"We were atrocious on defense in taking care of the ball in game situations and bunt defense. The kids are working at it and getting better," Santiago said. "We might have been a little late on fundamentals (last season) and on what to do. We also had some outfielders playing infield, but we added competition at every position. If you want the job, you have to show you will take responsibility for that position. I think our bunt defense will be better and our kids are really pushing each other."

Ashley Bertot returns for her senior season to anchor the infield at second base.

The Colonels have a battle at shortstop between freshman Camille Rozas and Mississippi State transfer sophomore Courtney Vanlandingham. At third base, redshirt freshmen Priscilla Burns and freshmen Cari Spain are vying for playing time, while senior Leah Andrus and freshmen Morgan Wilson are slated to play at first base.

Santiago didn't name any starters in his outfield, but he did say that he has several players competing for the three spots and the added competition is making his outfielders much better.

"In the outfield we have a mix of Louisiana kids and players from outside the state. We needed a friendly competition out there, and the kids are talking and learning from each other," Santiago said. "We have kids that can play multiple positions in the outfield, and you got to have that kind of versatility."

With all the new faces in the lineup, Santiago will lean on a familiar face to get the offense going. Bertot was named the Southland Conference's Hitter of the Year after finishing the 2012 season with a .388 batting average and 54 hits.

Bertot, who is a preseason first-team all-conference selection, said the Colonels have more speed in the lineup, which should lead to more runs.

"We have three more slappers, and we are a lot faster than last year. We also have some power hitters, and we do feel like we have more power in our lineup," Bertot said. "We are a young team, but our returners know what coach wants, and we can teach the newcomers what to do. Even with the new players, I feel like we are 10 steps ahead of where we were last season."

The voters in the Southland Conference softball preseason polls also believe the Colonels are moving forward.

In the preseason coaches' poll, the Colonels were picked seventh, while the sports information director's poll tabbed Nicholls to finish fifth in the 10-team league.

Santiago said he is happy with the recognition, but his team is ready to show they are much better than a bottom-tier team.

"I like our chances in conference. Last year, we were picked dead last, and I guess people thought it was that bad over here," Santiago said. "In eight conference wins, we showed that we weren't a last-place team, but we know we still have to convince people that we are ready to take the next step. It is up to the girls and polls don't matter. We have expectations here, and we are handling it well with a young but mature bunch of players."

<p>The Nicholls State University softball team will have a new look for the 2013 season.</p><p>The new look isn't from new uniforms or new equipment. The Colonels' new look stems from a retooling of their 2013 roster.</p><p>After a 14-31 2012 season in which the Colonels finished 8-12 in the Southland Conference, second-year coach Angel Santiago decided competition was needed at every position.</p><p>Santiago purged his roster and added 13 new players, while keeping just eight players from last year's team.</p><p>The new-look Colonels begin their season on Friday at Southeastern Louisiana's Lions Classic in Hammond. Nicholls plays Southern University at 12:30 p.m. Friday before playing St. Louis University at 3 p.m. Friday. The three-day tournament continues on Saturday and Sunday.</p><p>Santiago said the new players have brought a new level of excitement, but it also allowed him to focus on the basics in the offseason.</p><p>"We have a lot of new faces. I think we have 13 new players on the field this year," Santiago said. "We have transfers and freshmen, and with all that in place, we just had to go back to the basics. I think we've done so much to give these kids a chance to compete on the softball field that it is time for Nicholls to start winning."</p><p>To start winning games, the Colonels are going to have to improve in all aspects of the game but especially on defense.</p><p>Nicholls ranked last in the Southland Conference in team defense with a .946 fielding percentage.</p><p>Santiago said the majority of the roster changes was to improve his defense.</p><p>"We were atrocious on defense in taking care of the ball in game situations and bunt defense. The kids are working at it and getting better," Santiago said. "We might have been a little late on fundamentals (last season) and on what to do. We also had some outfielders playing infield, but we added competition at every position. If you want the job, you have to show you will take responsibility for that position. I think our bunt defense will be better and our kids are really pushing each other."</p><p>Ashley Bertot returns for her senior season to anchor the infield at second base.</p><p>The Colonels have a battle at shortstop between freshman Camille Rozas and Mississippi State transfer sophomore Courtney Vanlandingham. At third base, redshirt freshmen Priscilla Burns and freshmen Cari Spain are vying for playing time, while senior Leah Andrus and freshmen Morgan Wilson are slated to play at first base.</p><p>Santiago didn't name any starters in his outfield, but he did say that he has several players competing for the three spots and the added competition is making his outfielders much better.</p><p>"In the outfield we have a mix of Louisiana kids and players from outside the state. We needed a friendly competition out there, and the kids are talking and learning from each other," Santiago said. "We have kids that can play multiple positions in the outfield, and you got to have that kind of versatility."</p><p>With all the new faces in the lineup, Santiago will lean on a familiar face to get the offense going. Bertot was named the Southland Conference's Hitter of the Year after finishing the 2012 season with a .388 batting average and 54 hits.</p><p>Bertot, who is a preseason first-team all-conference selection, said the Colonels have more speed in the lineup, which should lead to more runs.</p><p>"We have three more slappers, and we are a lot faster than last year. We also have some power hitters, and we do feel like we have more power in our lineup," Bertot said. "We are a young team, but our returners know what coach wants, and we can teach the newcomers what to do. Even with the new players, I feel like we are 10 steps ahead of where we were last season." </p><p>The voters in the Southland Conference softball preseason polls also believe the Colonels are moving forward.</p><p>In the preseason coaches' poll, the Colonels were picked seventh, while the sports information director's poll tabbed Nicholls to finish fifth in the 10-team league.</p><p>Santiago said he is happy with the recognition, but his team is ready to show they are much better than a bottom-tier team.</p><p>"I like our chances in conference. Last year, we were picked dead last, and I guess people thought it was that bad over here," Santiago said. "In eight conference wins, we showed that we weren't a last-place team, but we know we still have to convince people that we are ready to take the next step. It is up to the girls and polls don't matter. We have expectations here, and we are handling it well with a young but mature bunch of players."</p>